Same vibe, better weather

It's 40 years later, and even though the vibe is still the same, the scene is completely different.

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By Sandy Tomcho

recordonline.com

By Sandy Tomcho

Posted Aug. 16, 2009 at 2:00 AM

By Sandy Tomcho
Posted Aug. 16, 2009 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

It's 40 years later, and even though the vibe is still the same, the scene is completely different.

Unrelenting rain has been replaced by blue skies, and then-20-somethings now have flecks of gray in their hair. Instead of using their hands to throw up a peace sign, they're now holding the hands of their grandchildren.

Whether you were partying at Hector's or reminiscing at the Woodstock monument at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Saturday, people were sharing their memories and creating new ones.

Jim Sarles, 62, of Kerhonkson, sat on a picnic bench by the Woodstock monument with a photo album of pictures he took in 1969.

"I came back because, how can you not come back? It's personal," he said. "People are very happy that I put it together. You look at these pictures, and it gives you an idea of how it was 40 years ago."

Sarles didn't go to Saturday's sold out Heroes of Woodstock concert, because he wants to remember Woodstock as it was in 1969.

"When I look out there, I don't see that grassy field," Sarles said. "I see 450,000 people that look like pieces of sand on a beach."

He wasn't the only one who felt that way.

Judy Reggina, owner of Spirits of the Woods, was selling handmade jewelry with her husband on the side of Route 17B. Framed on one of the tables were her original tickets to Woodstock in 1969.

"I will not go to a reunion," Reggina said. "You cannot re-create Woodstock."

Even though that may be true, traffic moved smoothly as people tailgated or picnicked on the grass. More than 16,000 people flocked to the site to visit the museum, wait in line to take a picture at the monument or attend the concert.

"We didn't make it 40 years ago, so we wanted to make sure we made it this time," said 60-year-old Judy Carton, who came with three friends. They pit-stopped at Blanche's Diner on Route 17B earlier in the day after leaving their homes in New Jersey at 4 a.m. yesterday. "We're looking forward to a weekend without sleep."

Also at Blanche's were Roy Tangen and his 13-year-old son, Tyler. Roy attended the original concert and was excited to bring his son to the anniversary show. While looking over the menu, Tyler joked with his dad about changing his taste in music.

"Thanks to you, I'm into the Grateful Dead now," Tyler laughed. "I used to be into (rapper) 50 Cent."

Roy was hoping to meet up with some friends at the site and was looking forward to seeing Big Brother & The Holding Company perform.

"When I attended Woodstock, I had just come back from serving a three-year tour in Vietnam," Roy said. "Woodstock changed my life."